JOIN USThe unique display of weighing and measuring devices at Tula Bhavana in Davanagere offers a glimpse into the evolution of these Deepavali, the festival of lights, is just around the corner. Though it is celebrated in various parts of the country, the celebration varies from one region to the other. Antige pantige, a folk tradition, has an indelible link with the festival. The tradition is practised in the northern part of the State and in Malnad. It is known by different names in different parts of the State. It is called as antige suntige or ani-peeni in North Karnataka, anti-sunti in the Tumakuru region and antige pantige in Malnad.
As per this tradition, a group of farmers begin the procession of light by visiting each household with a lit lamp at night for three days from Balipadyami and sing songs for the members of the household. In the Malnad region, this cultural practice can be seen in Thirthahalli, Sagara, Hosanagara, Shikaripur and Soraba taluks of Shivamogga district.
Dr J K Ramesh, who has compiled antige pantige songs in the form of a book, says, “The folk singers get their lamp lit either in the temple of their village or near a banyan tree.
Then they perform puja to the lamp and walk towards houses in the village.”They awake people who are asleep by singing folk songs and offer their lamp to a family member to light the lamp placed in the house. They move to another house after collecting the offerings. The themes of their songs range from farming, cattle, wedding, goldsmiths, carpentry to devotional, praising and worshipping Lord Ganesha and Lord Srinivasa. The procession of light lasts the whole night.
Earlier, it was being performed for about one week during the festival. Now, it has come down to three nights. Earlier, the team of antige pantige used to invite families, who gave them the offerings, for a special feast on the fourth day.
As years rolled by, certain aspects have changed. Now, the antige pantige team has many youngsters and it also takes up social welfare activities. For instance, the team members get involved in the rejuvenation of the temple, hospital or school in their village. The folk teams have become more socially responsible, Ramesh points out.
The concept of sharing
Ramesh says that the tradition symbolises the concept of sharing what we have with others and instils the feeling of togetherness. Here, the teams share light (considered to be the symbol of knowledge) with others. Generally, farmers form their own teams and perform this folk art.
Though the tradition is dominated by men, of late women and children perform in separate teams as well. Though they sing the songs in the same tune, it appeals to the people as the topics are closely associated with their life. It is a good sign that youngsters have been keeping the tradition alive and strengthening human bonding. In areas like Shikaripur and Soraba, children make teams and visit business establishments as well.